Hellenic Seaplanes (Greek Υδροπλάνα Ελλάδας Α.Ε.)[1] is a seaplane company in Greece with its own maintenance, training, flight operations and water aerodrome development strategy. The company's headquarters are in Kallithea, Athens, the fleet's maintenance base is at the Megara General Aviation Airport and soon will operate connecting all Greek Islands to the mainland.
 | |
| Founded | 28 May 2013[1] |
|---|---|
| Hubs | |
| Secondary hubs | |
| Destinations | 8 |
| Headquarters | Kallithea, Greece[1] |
| Key people | Nicolas Charalambous President & C.E.O. |
| Website | hellenic-seaplanes |
According to Hellenic Seaplane's statement,[2] the company aims to fly from port to port among the islands, coastal cities of central Greece and lakes throughout the country, providing transportation and tourism services.[3]
History
editHellenic Seaplanes S.A. was established in May 2013 in Athens, by Nicolas Charalambous,[4] following the passing of bill 4146/2013[5] that set out the framework for water aerodrome and seaplane operations in Greece.
The airline's logo is a stylized depiction of a seagull, a bird with a fusiform body that, like a seaplane, can float on water and fly through the air. The blue hues of the logo refer to the national colours of Greece, while Hellenic Seaplanes' tagline "Connecting Greece" reflects the company's mission to fly from port to port, connecting Greek islands and destinations with the mainland through its fleet of seaplanes.
Services
editThe company will generate revenues from the provision of the following products and services:[6]
- Scheduled flights
- Sightseeing flights
- Charter and private flights
- Resort transfers
- Freight and courier services
- Medical evacuation (Medevac services)
Seaplanes fleet
editHellenic Seaplane's fleet[7] consists of the following aircraft:
Cessna 208 Caravan
editHellenic Seaplanes' aircraft Cessna 208 Caravan[8] is an amphibian seaplane. It is a light turboprop single-engine aircraft known for its ease of handling. This specific seaplane travels at a speed of 270–320 km/h (170–200 mph) and its capacity includes seats for up to 12 passengers.
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
editHellenic Seaplanes' de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter is an amphibian seaplane, with a capacity of 19 passenger seats which develops travel speed of up to 300 km/h (190 mph). It is a high-blade aircraft, with two turbine engines and is considered to be the most suitable aircraft to be operating at sea and in all climate conditions.
Seaplane operations
editStarting from summer 2024, Hellenic Seaplanes will offer a variety of aerial sightseeing tours over Corfu[9] and the surrounding islands, such as Paxos, Antipaxos and the Diapontian Islands (Mathraki, Ereikoussa, Othonoi islands).
Hellenic Seaplanes will also offer scheduled flights[10] between Corfu and Paxos. The seaplane company will provide charter flights to a variety of water airports, water fields and airports in the Ionian Sea, Peloponnese and Western Greece. These flights can be customized to meet the specific needs of the customer.
Generally, Hellenic Seaplane's operations plan has been placed around ten geographic regions which are as follows:[11]
- Region 1 – Central Greece – Attica[12]
- Region 2 – Crete
- Region 3 – Thrace – North Aegean islands
- Region 4 – Macedonia
- Region 5 – Epirus[13]
- Region 6 – Dodecanese islands[14]
- Region 7 – Peloponnese
- Region 8 – Ionian Islands – Western Greece
- Region 9 – Cyclades islands
- Region 10 – Thessaly
References
edit- ^ a b c "Στοιχεία Δημοσιότητας". Business Registry (in Greek). Union of Hellenic Chambers Of Commerce. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "Company". Hellenic Seaplanes. Archived from the original on 2020-02-29. Retrieved 2020-02-29.
- ^ "Hellenic Seaplanes: Countdown to the first seaplanes". Portnet.gr. 15 November 2019.
- ^ "SBC TV- Interview with mr Charalambous, CEO & President of Hellenic Seaplanes S.A." SBC TV / Official Youtube channel. 20 April 2015.
- ^ "Investment law 4146/2013". Ependyseis.gr. 2013.
- ^ "Services". Hellenic Seaplanes.
- ^ Μπαλής, Δημήτρης (21 November 2023). Πώς είναι το πρώτο υδροπλάνο που ήρθε στην Ελλάδα. Huffington Post. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ "PASSENGER SEAPLANES". Hellenic Seaplanes.
- ^ Βετουλάκη, Βίκυ (18 December 2023). Η Κέρκυρα ξεκινά περιηγητικές πτήσεις με υδροπλάνα την άνοιξη. ΘΑΡΡΟΣ NEWS. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Αλεξοπούλου, Χριστίνα (29 January 2023). Υδροπλάνα: Πότε αρχίζουν οι πτήσεις – Οι ενδεικτικές τιμές για τα νησιά. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Hellenic Seaplanes Εφικτό να έχουμε το καλοκαίρι 10–12 υδατοδρόμια. Mono News (in Greek). 2 February 2020.
- ^ "Elefsina Examined as Metropolitan Waterway Hub". Greek Travel Pages. 3 July 2018.
- ^ Τα υδροπλάνα θα επιστρέψουν ξανά στα νερά της Παμβώτιδας!. Proinos Logos (in Greek). 7 November 2019.
- ^ Συμφωνία για 20 υδατοδρόμια σε νησιά του Ν. Αιγαίου, 3 September 2019. In.gr. 3 September 2019.
